Johanna Garretson
4th of July Festivities Committee
Parade Chairman

I am the chairman of the parade this year. In 2006, we recieved a picture someone took of the children up against the firetruck wheels. That is what prompted the Chief of Police to approach the committee about a change in the parade rules. Chief Carlson signed off on the new rules. He recieved numerous complaints about squirt guns also. Especially from the elderly. Our goal is to keep everyone safe. We have been very lucky that nothing has ever happened but we want to prevent it before it happens.

In 2007, we solved one problem but created another. The children in the parade were hard to keep track of, so this year another solution was thought of. We are going to paint lines on the road. No child will be allowed to cross these lines. You are again allowed to throw candy from the vehicle as long as you are not driving that vehicle. Please don't throw the candy hard. Adults should teach children some manners. As for the squirt guns, NO. (Maybe adults should look up the word "rude".)

Could somebody (Chief Carlson, for instance) post that picture here?

You do realize that photographs can be faked with all the off the shelf state of art software one can purchase, don't you? Also, photographs can skew perspective. That is why you see all those CSI investigators on TV use a measure beside an object they are photographing.

For a quick study of perspective and photography, I suggest watching the bonus features on some Alfred Hitchcock's movies such as Rear Window or Vertigo. If one is sitting on the sidewalk and shoots upward, a child might look as though they are actually leaning against something, when in fact they are a couple of feet away. Even The Golden Compass used quite a few tricks, illusions, to fool a viewer's perspective.

I've added my comment because I've noticed a few of our fearless leaders get quite hysterical in spite of the fact that such an attitude is warrantless and uncalled for.

Later,

Darrell

What about the noise of the thousands of fire trucks that are in the parade?
That is definitely more annoying than candy being thrown or waters guns.

Why mess up a good thing-if the candy or water bothers you then please stand back further.

Not sure why this is such a big deal!!!

I am sorry but what is a parade without the fire truck and the noise, especially on the 4th. I agree that parents should watch thier children, you cant let them run wild like animals. I have 4 kids of my own and I would not and do not let them be rude. I agree on the whole keeping them back. As for the water guns, I understand that also, there are alot of people that are not able to get out of the reach of the water. If you want to get wet then dont go to the parade go swimming instead. My view on this I guess is, if you dont like the noise then bring ear plugs or dont come. As for candy be thrown to hard, I believe they have to through it hard enough to get to the kids if they are not aloud to cross a line. So therefore if you dont want to get hit by candy then stay back and let the kids enjoy the parade. That is who it is for if you ask me.

i agree. PARADES ARE FOR THE KIDS. I think when some people get older they forget what its like to be a kid. i remember watching parades every year as a child and it would not have been near as much fun without the fire trucks and the candy. I think it is time for adults to stop being selfish and look at the big picture.